Ate Vi learns ropes on legislative work

Neophyte Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto has asked for more time when it comes to taking a stand on controversial measures such as the death penalty, divorce and Charter change.

Santos-Recto, a veteran actress turned politician who served as Batangas governor for nine years, made the appeal when she was quizzed on these measures in between her crash course for neophyte lawmakers at the House of Representatives.

“Saka na lang po ako magbibigay ng pahayag (sa mga iyan) kapag mas nakapag-aral na po akong mabuti [I would have to reserve my comments until such time that I have studied them enough]. I am still trying to learn more and I am willing to learn,” Santos-Recto told reporters.

But the award-winning actress, who started her political career as Lipa City Mayor in 1998, assured that the public could count on her putting her best effort in her uncharted territory of legislation.

She noted that her concerns of providing assistance to women, children and local government units (LGUs) remain the same, including pushing for increased Internal Revenue Allotments for LGUs and the continuation of the Conditional Cash Transfer program for the poorest of the poor households.

“Hindi naman ako tatagal sa pagiging public servant kung mayroon akong bad record na ganyan (na panay absent) [I won’t be a public servant this long if I have a bad record in attendance]. Sundays are just sacred to me because that is for the family. I’m still a mom and wife],” Santos-Recto, the wife of Sen. Ralph Recto, pointed out.

Santos-Recto was the Lipa mayor from 1998 to 2007 before serving as the Batangas governor from 2007 to 2016.

“Anything that has been entrusted to me as a public servant and now as Representative, count on that I will do my very best,” Santos-Recto added.